Strawberries are a delicious source of vitamin C, folic acid, antioxidants, and fiber. This fruit is not only healthy to eat, but also able to reduce the risk of heart disease. However, just like any fresh produce, strawberries need to be cleaned well before consumption as they may be contaminated with harmful bacteria such as salmonella or E. coli. In addition, strawberries are also the type of fruit that contains the most pesticides.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Washing Strawberries with Water
Step 1. Discard any bad or rotten fruit
Don't wash it until before you are going to use it. Strawberries are like a sponge that easily absorbs water which can accelerate spoilage.
- Discard any strawberries that look bruised, mushy, moldy, or still raw. Use only strawberries that are bright red in color and have dense flesh.
- Don't clean the stalks before washing them, as the strawberries will easily absorb water.
Step 2. Place the strawberries in a colander or large slotted container
Never immerse it in water.
- Wash the strawberries under running water.
- Move the strawberries by hand to make sure all the fruit is washed.
Step 3. Otherwise, wash in a basin of cold water
- Hold a few strawberries and dip them in the water.
- Strawberries only need to be briefly rinsed, not soaked.
Step 4. Dry the strawberries
Wet strawberries will rot quickly. Although the goal is to aerate, the strawberries will absorb the water and the taste will be less sweet.
- Leave the strawberries in a colander for a while to allow the water to drain.
- Dry with a tissue. Be careful not to damage the fruit.
- Or spread it on a clean rag, then gently wipe it dry.
Method 2 of 3: Cleaning Strawberries with Vinegar Solution
Step 1. Clean the strawberries more thoroughly using a vinegar solution
This will also prevent the strawberries from rotting too quickly when stored in the refrigerator. Of course it sucks to find a box of strawberries you just bought moldy two days later.
- Discard any moldy or dented strawberries.
- Again, leave the stalks until you are ready to use or eat the strawberries.
Step 2. Prepare the vinegar solution
You will need white vinegar, a basin or a bucket.
- Fill a clean basin or bucket half full with cold water. Make sure the water is not warm.
- Add vinegar at the rate of one cup of vinegar to three cups of water.
- Stir by hand until smooth.
Step 3. Take two or three strawberries
You will clean several fruits at once. This step ensures that each fruit is properly washed.
- Dip the strawberries for about 30 seconds in the vinegar solution.
- Rinse with cold water. You certainly don't want any lingering vinegary taste in the strawberries.
- Pat it dry with a paper towel or dry it carefully with a clean cloth.
Method 3 of 3: Using Vegetable and Fruit Washing Soap
Step 1. Prepare a special solution for washing vegetables and fruits from natural ingredients
You can buy natural vegetable and fruit washing products like this on the internet or in supermarkets.
- Fill a basin or bucket half full with cold water.
- Add about 60 grams of vegetable and fruit washing soap, then stir.
- Stir until the soap is completely dissolved.
Step 2. Hold two or three strawberries
This step ensures that each fruit is thoroughly washed.
- Dip and move the strawberries in the solution for thirty seconds.
- Rinse thoroughly with cold running water. You certainly do not want the rest of the soap solution left on the strawberries.
- Pat it dry with paper towels or dry it carefully with a clean cloth.
Tips
- When buying strawberries, choose a bright red color that is evenly distributed. You don't have to worry about the shape and size. Choose strawberries with dense flesh.
- Strawberries rot easily. The storage time is also very short. Just buy as much as you will eat in the next few days.
- Freeze strawberries if you need to store them for more than two days. The trick is to put the strawberries in a plastic clip or an airtight container that is safe for the freezer.
- You need to know that drug regulatory agencies do not recommend the use of detergents, soaps, or commercial fruit and vegetable washing products to avoid the risk of ingesting harmful toxic substances.
- Strawberries that have been washed and chopped will stay fresh for a day or two if stored in an airtight container.
- Remove the stems after washing the strawberries by sticking a strong straw from the bottom of the fruit and pressing it all the way up.
